Parents say

Kids say

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this music.

Positive Messages

Self-respect and unity are big themes on songs like "Nasty Boys," "Control," and "Rhythm Nation." The importance of friendship is promoted on other tracks like "All Right with Me" and "The Best Things in Life Are Free."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Most songs show Jackson as the "good girl" while the sexy songs portray her in some type of aggressor role or in "control." "Let's Wait a While" promotes the concept of abstinence.

Sex

Many songs discuss sexual situations and seduction, such as "Anytime, Anyplace": "I can feel your hand moving up my thigh, skirt around my waist, wall against my face...I don't wanna stop just because people walking by watchin' us, I don't give a damn what they think, I don't wanna stop just because you feel so good inside of my love...I want you." "What's It Gonna Be" includes the lines "Gonna make your body wet, gonna make your body scream my name, gonna make you think of naughty things, like you on me and me on you what's it gonna be...gonna make your body cream." Other songs mention pole dancing, x-ratings, and making love along with audible moans, groans, and panting.

Language

"Damn" is sung a few times.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Bars and clubs are mentioned multiple times on "Someone to Call My Lover."

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that even though many of these songs are Top 40 radio classics, there are some seriously sexy parts to the album. Jackson sings about becoming physically excited, getting guys excited, dancing seductively, and having sex for all to see. But because these sexual situations are limited to only a handful of tracks on the 30+ song greatest hits collection, it should be easy for parents to skip through the handful of suggestive tracks and focus on the majority of hits, which are only mildly sexy or down-right innocent.

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What's the story?

As its name implies, NUMBER ONES is a greatest hits collection of Janet Jackson's number one hits from pop charts in the US and around the world. The album runs chronologically, from mid-80s hits like "Nasty Boys" and "Control" through Jackson's sexier '90s style ("If," "That's the Way Love Goes") on into today, with the release of her newest single, "Make Me."

Is it any good?

Greatest hits collections don't usually offer much new content or artistic innovation. But this double album might be an exception to the rule. For tweens and teens just discovering the Jackson family sound after Michael's untimely death, this release can be a great introduction to his sister's equally impressive portfolio. For listeners who lived through the "Rhythm Nation" era, this collection will not only provide some nostalgia, but also create a greater appreciation for Jackson's voluminous contributions to modern pop music. One thing's for sure: this album will take you on a fast-paced trip through the pop sensibilities of three decades while supplying a musical good time in the process.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about sex in pop music. Do sexually explicit lyrics make you uncomfortable or confused? Do you think the sexy songs make you feel like everyone is doing it? Why do you think sex is so often the topic of pop songs?

Talk about Janet Jackson's image. She was part of the infamous sexually-charged Super Bowl controversy that occurred a few years back. How has her image changed since then? Do you think it was permanently damaged by the incident, or has she rebounded? Was Justin Timberlake, who also was involved in the scandal, vilified as much as Jackson? Do you think there is a double standard that allows men to misbehave more than women?

Talk about the Jackson family. How has this one group of related musicians transformed pop music? How does Michael Jackson's music compare to that of his sister? Do you think the family is being re-discovered by a new generation because of Michael's death? Or, is their music out of touch with today's youth?

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